Improvement in car-couplings



w n. KEACHIE.

- CAR-COUPLING.

'No.177,7ZZ. Patented May 23,1876.

UNITED STATES Pn'rnivr OFFIcE.

WILLIAM RQKEACHIE, OF ST. MARYS, CANADA.

IMPROVEMENT lNCAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 177,722, dated May 23, 1876; application filed December 31, 1875.

To all whom it mag concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM ROBERTSON KEAOHIE, of St. Marys, in the Province of Ontario and Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oar-(Jouplings; and I do hereby declare that the following isa full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will-enable others skilled in the art to which-it appertains to make and use the same, reference be-' ing had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification, and in slot is pivoted, by means of a pin, 1), the ham mer-catch or hook-B, of the configuration shown in the drawing-that is, consisting of a shank having a downwardly-projecting,'in-

\vardly-slanting pin, 0, and head O, which abuts upon the outer rim d of'the draw-head. The hammer B is operated by a latch or tongue,

E, pivoted under it, in the recess of thedrawhead, by means of a pin, 0, upon which it is firmly affixed. Pine extends to the outside ofthe draw-head, where it has a lever, G, by means of which it and the latch E may be turned, so as to raise hammer B for uncoup' ling.

Aftixed rigidly upon the inside walls of recess D are two blocks, (denoted by F,) beveled in front, so as to slant upwardly toward the upper rim (1 of the draw-head A. These blocks are of such a thickness or width as to form a narrow opening in themiddle of recess D, only sufficiently wide to allow of the insertion from the top of the hammer-catch B, which, in its locked position, (shown in the drawing,) will be prevented from moving laterally by the blocks F abutting against its sides. These 7 blocks also serve, by their slanting fronts or faces, to guide the link, when inserted, against the beveled pin or book 0 of the catch B,"by whichthe coupling is effected.

In the bottom of recess D is a mortise, i, into which pin 0 of hammer B enters, thus preventing the possibility of uncoupling by accident.

The advantages of my improved car-coupling will be easily perceived from the foregoing description. Its construction being exceedingly simple, it can be manufactured at a small cost. The configurationof pin cot hammer B insures certainty of action when coupled, and the weight of hammer B makes uncoupling by accident simply impossible, while, whenever desired, it is easily uncoupled by simply raising lever G, which may be connected by rods or chains with the top or side of the car. It will also be observed that when the cars are in motion the strain does not all come upon pivoting-pin I), but is divided between it and the rim (1 of the draw-head, upon which head 0 of hammer B abuts. This increases the strength of this coupling greatly.

The blocks F will, in turning curves, bear against the sides of the hook B O, relieving the strain from off the draw-head and pin Z); these blocks or shoulders, besides, greatly strengthening that part of the draw-head that has to stand the greatest strain and wear in coupling, uncoupling, or pulling the cars. Fitting close against the sides of hook B 0, they also prevent rattling or jarring of the hook when the train is in motion.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent ot' the United States- The slotted draw-head A, having inclined blocks or shoulders F rigidly affixed to its sides, in combination with a closely-fitting coupling-hook, B 0, all constructed substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM ROBERTSON KEAOHIE.

Witnesses LOUIS BAGGER, WM. BAGGER. 

